Mail and express package handling device.



No. 890,927. PATEN'I'ED JUNE 16, 1908. G. W. ROBERTS. I MAIL AND EXPRESS PACKAGE HANDLING DEVICE.

PL T I 1 AP IOA ION ILED OCT 24, 1907 3 sKBETS SHEET L 511 ocmtoz GaI e/Z 305016:

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G. w. ROBERTS. MAIL AND EXPRESS PACKAGE HANDLING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED 00124, 1907. 3 QHEETS SHEET 51-1 pcm fo'c eara fififoder'fif Q/Vi twzooco 0141 (Z LJ SJ No. 890,927. PATENTED JUNE 16, 1908. G. W. ROBERTS. MAIL AND EXPRESS PACKAGE HANDLING DEVICE.

APPLICATION FILED 001 .24 190 7 s SHEETS-SHEET s.

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GEORGE W. ROBERTS, OF WILMINGTON, DELAWARE.

MAIL AND EXPRESS PACKAGE HANDLING DEVICE.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 16, 1908.

Application filed October 24, 1907. Serial No. 398,922.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, GEORGE W. ROBERTs, a citizen of the United States, residing at Wilmington, in the county of Newcastle and State of Delaware, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Mail and Express Package Handling Devices, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to mail and express package handling devices and to that type of devices designed for usein connection with the railway mail service.

The primary object of the invention is to provide novel and efficient means for the receipt and delivery of mail or express packages and sacks by and from a train while the latter is in motion, and without the necessity of retarding the speed thereof.

It has been found in practice that with many of the prior constructions along the broad idea of the invention, damage to the sacks or packages and even loss of the contents are frequent occurrences and it is the aim of the present invention to overcome this defect. To this end the invention is designed to expedite the exchange of the sacks or packages without damage or loss.

The invention includes novel means adapted to be secured to the train for the receipt and delivery of the packages, the said means by reason of its peculiar arrangement and construction being adapted to be folded or collapsed and occupy a position whereby it will, when in disuse, offer practically no obstruction beyond the side of the car body. The receiving portion of said means is also constructed so as to have relative movement,

thereby preventing jarring and breaking of parts during the receiving operation, as well as to insure a deposit of the packageupon the platform of said means.

The invention also comprises means adapt ed to occupy a position to one side of the car track for the receipt and delivery of the packages, the receiving and delivering portion of said means being arranged in a novel manner to prevent interference one with the other while in operation, and means associated with the receiving portion for preventing breakage of parts and insuring deposit of the package on a suitable platform and this Without any likelihood of its falling or being thrown elsewhere whereby the sacks or packages may become damaged and the contents thereby lost.

Other novel features of the invention including details of construction and arrangement of parts will be pointed out hereinafter in the specific description, which should be read in connection with the drawings accompanying this application and forming a part hereof, and wherein is disclosed a preferable embodiment of the invention.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a front elevation of the apparatus complete, the train approaching the point of exchange. Fig.2 is a similar view, the train having passed the sta tion. Fig. 3 is a top plan view. Fig. 4 is a front elevation of the car with the movable platform in collapsed position, and Fig. 5 is a detail view of one of the parts detached.

Referring to the said drawings, like reference characters designate corresponding elements throughout the several views.

A is a car of the railway mail type having the usual door opening a.

B is a sack or package platform rotatably connected at one end to a shaft 1), which latter is in turn rotatably mounted in the car frame at a point adjacent the lower end of the door opening and to one side thereof. Referring particularly to Fig. 4. it will be seen that the platform is in an elevated position, which position it occupies when the device is in disuse, an elongated extension or lug B being provided to be engaged by an overhanging engaging lug A on the side of the car.

C is a counter balancing weight connected, through the medium of an arm, to the shaft 1) and arranged to hold the platform in its adjusted position. Then the platform is in elevated position, the same is allowed to swing about its axis occupying aposition fiat against the side of the car as illustrated in Fig. 4.

D is a pivoted supporting bracket on the lower surface of the platform arranged to lie flat against the platform when in elevated position and to automatically drop into engagement with the car sill when said platform is lowered. This supporting bracket when in such engagement will hold the platform in horizontal position for the receipt of the package to be delivered thereto.

E is an auxiliary engaging lug on the car arranged to engage the projecting lug B of the platform when in lowered position, and to retain this end of the platform elevated relative to its pivoted or discharging end.

X is a bagor sack provided with a drag chain or rope in loop form x. Assuming that it is desired to deliver a sack, the same is placed on the platform which has been placed in a lowered position, the drag chain or rope x overhanging the lower end of the platform in a position to be engaged by the receiving means about to be described.

F is a projection preferably pointed at the forward end of the platform adapted to receive the loop of the chain or rope of a previously positioned bag mounted on a support to one side of the car track. This projection has a yieldable connection with the platform as shown for a purpose to be hereinafter described.

G designates a suitable stationary platform mounted on a suitable support to one side of the railway track. This platform is designed to receive the package from the moving train, and in order to correctly deposit the package thereon a pivoted catch arm H is provided. This catch arm is conveniently pivoted to the platform, the receiving end of which projects thereabove through a slotted portion thereof and the lower end is connected to a rod 1 having at its opposite end a piston 7c slidable in the stationary dash-pot cylinder K. A spring 'L engaging respectively the piston 7c and the inner end of the cylinder'K is arranged to hold the catch arm H in position to grab the package which, owing to the movement of the train will tend to swing said arm about its pivot thereby compressing the spring. The spring is sufficient to draw the catch arm back to normal position, but to prevent a quick movement thereof tending to throw the sack or package away from the platform resulting in damage and loss of articles therein, a pneumatic check is provided. Any suitable form of check may be used which will accomplish the desired result, but in the instance illustrated the cylinder is provided with a flap valve 7c adapted to lift inward and permit the entrance of the air through an aperture therebeneath when the piston moves outward, and the auxiliary aperture k permits the slow escape of the body of confined air as the piston is moved inward by the catch arm when in operation. The action of said catch arm H is to receive the loop of the drag chain or rope of the sack or package which deposits itself upon the platform G. The release of the bag from the platform B of the moving train is aided by the downward inclination thereof towards its discharge end. L is an auxiliary stationary platform superimposed on said platform G and inclining downwardly towards its discharge end. This platform is adapted to hold the sack or packresting upon the superimposed platform.

This package when caught by said projection F will drop from a flat position on the superimposed platform to a flat position on the platform B of the moving car. 'The yieldable support for the projection F prevents breakage of parts and obviates the likelihood 1 of throwing the package to the side of the car, thus insurin the receipt of the package on the platform The operation of the several parts is clear. As the train approaches the station of exchange the adjustable platform held perpendicular against the side of the car by the counter balance 0 is moved across the car door into the position shown in Fig. 2, the bracket support D automatically dropping into position against the sill of the car. The sack or package to be delivered at the station is placed on the platform B with the drag chain x overhanging the lower or discharging end. The package to be received by the car at the station is placed on the superimposed platform L, the drag chain thereof overhanging the lower end or discharge portion of said platform. As the car passes the station the end of the catch arm H engages the loop of the drag chain of the package to be delivered, the thrust of the cars rapid movement being communicated from the catch arm to the spring and the package held on the platform as shown in Fig. 2, the automatic check insuring a slow gradual readjustment of the parts. The platform B of the car passes between the stationary platforms and the pointed projection F engages with the drag chain of the package on the superimposed platform L pulling it forward until it drops on the car platform B from which the other package was removed. The exchange of mail or express is now complete.

What I claim is:

1. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination with a car, of a horizontally disposed platform carried thereby, of a stationary platform arranged to one side of the car cooperating with said car platform for receiving a package from said platform and depositing the same in a fiat position on the stationary platform.

2. In an apparatus of the character ,described the combination of a car with a projecting horizontal platform thereon, of a stationary relatively flat platform, and means whereby the package lying flat on said stationary platform will be taken therefrom and deposited in a flat position on the moving platform.

3. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a car with a pro jecting horizontal platform thereon, of a stationary relatively flat platform, and means whereby the package lying flat on said stationary platform may slide thereover and be deposited in a flat position on the moving platform while maintaining the package in substantially the same horizontal plane.'

4. In a package receiving device, the combination of a moving car, a horizontal platform carried thereby, a mail bag support to one side of the car track, and a projection on said platform arranged to engage the chain of the bag upon said support and deposit it by a drag movement on said horizontal platform.

5. In a package receiving device the combination of a moving car, a horizontal platform carried thereby, a mail bag support to one side of the car track, and a projection on said support arranged to engage the chain of the bag on said support and deposit it on said horizontal platform and means whereby the projection is allowed to yield.

6. In an apparatus of the character de scribed, a car, a horizontally disposed package platform thereon, means for pivotally supporting the platform at one end and a counter balance operatively associated with said means to hold the platform in adjusted position.

7 In an apparatus of the character described the combination of a car having a door opening, a horizontally disposed receiving platform, means whereby the same may swing into a position across the door opening and out of the path thereof but parallel with the side of the car.

8. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a car, a horizontally disposed receiving platform, and a pivotal support for one end of the platform allowing it to swing vertically, and auxiliary pivotal engagement between the said pivotal support and platform.

9. In an apparatus of the character described the combination of a car, a horizontally disposed platform, means whereby the same may swing to a position parallel with the side of a car, a pivotal support for one end of the platform allowing it to swing vertically, and a counter balance associated with said last mentioned means for holding the platform in adjusted position.

10. In an apparatus of the character described the combination of a package receiving means adapted to be mounted upon a car, comprising a platform having a pivotal support at one end adapted to be secured to the car whereby the platform may swing vertically and a projection at its opposite end, and separated means on said car arranged to engage said projection respectively according to whether said platform is elevated or low ered, and thereby holding the free end of the platform in position.

11. In an apparatus of the character described, means adapted to be secured to the car for receiving a mail bag or package comprising a swinging platform having means thereon for engaging a bag and a counterbalance for said platform.

12. In an apparatus of the character described the combination with a car, of a platform means for pivotally securing the platform at one end to the car whereby the same may swing vertically, and automatically, adjustable means arranged to engage the side of the car and constituting a support for the platform when in lowered position.

13. In an apparatus of the character described a platform adapted to be pivoted at one end to the side of the car and means for supporting the free end of the platform at an inclination.

14. In an apparatus of the character de scribed, the combination with a car frame of a platform, means for pivotally supporting the platform at one end to said car frame whereby it may swing vertically, means movable with the platform for holding the same in adjusted positions, an extension lug on the free end of the platform, and engaging lugs on the car frame arranged to receive said extension lug at the limits of movement of the platform, and a bracket support on the platform arranged to engage the car frame.

15. In an apparatus of the character de scribed the combination of a receiving platform adapted to be arranged to one side of the car track, and means adapted to take a bag or package from a moving car and deposit it on said platform comprising a pivoted arm on said platform.

16. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a receiving plat form arranged at one side of the car track, a car having a sack or package supported thereon, and means adapted to take a sack or pack age from a flat position on the car support and deposit the same in a flat position on said platform, comprising an arm pivoted to the platform intermediate itsends and hav ing a yieldable connection at one of its ends.

17. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a receiving platform arranged to one side of the car track, a car having a sack support thereon, and means adapted to take a sack from the car support and deposit the same on said platform while the car is in movement, comprising an arm pivoted to the platform intermediate its ends, one end of the arm being arranged to engage the package, and means associated with the opposite end of the arm for restoring the arm to normal position by gradual movement.

18. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a plurality of stationary superimposed platforms positioned to one side of a car track, a car having a platform projecting from the side thereof and arranged to pass between the stationary platforms as the car passes the same.

19. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a pair of superimposed stationary platforms arranged to one side of a car track, a car having a platform thereon projecting from the side thereof and arranged to pass between the stationary platforms as the car passes the same, the car platform inclining downwardly toward its discharge end, and the upper stationary platform inclining downwardly toward its dis charge end. i

20. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a pair of stationary superimposed platforms arranged on one side of a car track, a car having a platform projecting from the side thereof and arranged to pass between the stationary platforms as the car passes the same, means on the lower platform arranged to take a package or sack from the platform of the car and deposit it on said lower platform, and means on the plat form of ,the car for taking another package or sack from the upper platform and depositing the same on the car platform, while the car is in motion.

21. In an apparatus of the character described, the combination of a pair of stationary superimposed platforms arranged to one side of a car track, a car having a platform projecting from the side thereof and arranged to pass between the stationary platforms as the car passes the same, means on the lower platform arranged to take a package or sack from the platform of the car and deposit it on said lower platform and means on the platform of the car for taking another package or sack from the upper platform and depositing the same on the car platform, while the car is in motion, the upper platform being arranged beyond the receiving portion of the lower platform whereby the sack will have been delivered to the lower platform from the car platform before the car platform receives the package from the upper platform.

In testimony whereof I affiX my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE W. ROBERTS.

Witnesses: HENRY O. CONRAD,

RALs'roN CAMERON. 

